Infectious Disease Control Consultant

Who we are:

At the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), we strive to exemplify The Heart of Hope for individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders.

We proudly employ over 2,800 dedicated employees across our six inpatient behavioral health hospitals, Ohio Pharmacy Services, Ohio’s prison systems, and the central office located in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus, Ohio.

DBH Values:

• Service-Oriented (Person Centered, Solution Oriented, Customer Service Focused)
• Collaborative (Approachable, Reasonable, Transparent)
• Value Driven
• Innovative (Yes Before No)
• Strong Sense of Urgency

Our team of highly qualified professionals advances a critical system of behavioral healthcare in Ohio that helps people be well, get well, and stay well. Join our collaborative, service-oriented environment, where you will be respected and valued.

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is proud to be an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace, committed to supporting the health and well-being of all employees, including those in recovery. We foster an inclusive, stigma-free environment where individuals impacted by mental health and substance use challenges are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our workplace culture promotes wellness, second chance hiring, and recovery-informed policies that reflect our mission to serve Ohioans with compassion and respect, both in the community and within our own team.

What you’ll do at DBH:

· Coordinate the Infection Control (IC) program by providing prevention, intervention, and surveillance of infection or communicable diseases and taking appropriate action

· Review and interpret established regulations and policies, and develop, implement, interpret and enforce surveillance policies

· Review x-ray reports, lab reports, pharmacy reports, treatment provided & bacteria identification

· Inspect environmental living conditions for lack of proper techniques and maintenance of sanitary environment and review infection control checklist

· Update and develop hospital-wide infection control policies and procedural manuals

· Consult with patients, family, and staff regarding diseases and assesses individuals' understanding of information provided

· Act as a resource person for health care personnel with questions on communicable diseases

· Prepare and maintain records, reports, and correspondence such as calculated infection & compliance rates & other periodic or investigative reports for management review

· Coordinate & provide employee health service to prevent transmission of infection

· Coordinate new employee and annual TB testing activities; administer hepatitis b &/or annual flu vaccination program

· Follow-up on all blood & body fluid exposures; provide emergency nursing assistance on units and first aid

· Plan, research, and develop a curriculum for orientation and in-service education programs on principles of infection control & communicable diseases

· Teach isolation techniques such as standard precautions, infectious waste, blood-borne pathogens, TB, needle sticks, and other pertinent subjects regarding infection Control prevention

· Function as primary instructor for IC Orientation of new employees, contractors, and students

· Coach, encourage, and promote the importance of self-management of chronic health conditions and communicable diseases

· Perform self-management education interventions through regular wellness and education groups for patients

This is an hourly position covered by the Ohio Health Care SEIU/1199 bargaining unit (union), with a pay range of #13 on the Ohio Health Care SEIU/1199 Pay Range Schedule. Normal working hours are 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. This position is located within our at .

Unless required by any applicable union contract and/or requirements of the Ohio Revised Code, the selected candidate will begin at Step 1 of the pay range schedule listed above, with an opportunity for pay increase after six months of satisfactory performance and then a yearly raise thereafter.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Current & valid license to practice professional nursing as Registered Nurse (i.e., R.N.) in Ohio as issued by Board of Nursing per Section 4723.03 of Ohio Revised Code; 24 mos. exp. as Registered Nurse practicing in infection control in a population/community based setting to include both: analysis & interpretation of collected infection control data & investigation & surveillance of suspected outbreaks of infection; & at least 3 of the following: (i.e., planning, implementation & evaluation of infection prevention & control measures; education of individuals about infection risk, prevention & control; development & revision of infection control policies & procedures; management of infection prevention & control activities; providing consultation on infection risk assessment, prevention & control strategies); 4 mos. trg. or 4 mos. exp. in public speaking/teaching techniques; 3 mos. trg. or 3 mos. exp. in computer operation.

-Or equivalent of the Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above may be substituted for the experience required, but not for the mandated licensure.

All eligible applications shall be reviewed considering the following criteria: qualifications, experience, education, active disciplinary record, and work record.

Job Skills: Nursing

Technical Skills: Risk Assessment and Management, Public Health, Behavioral health, Computer Literacy, Internal Auditing, Compliance Enforcement

Professional Skills: Organization and Planning, Analyzation, Critical Thinking, Interpreting Data, Written Communication Verbal Communication, Strategic Thinking, Observation

Required Educational Transcripts

Official transcripts are required for all post-secondary education, coursework, or degrees listed on the application. Applicants must submit an official transcript before receiving a formal employment offer. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) business days of the request will result in disqualification from further consideration. Transcripts printed from the institution’s website will not be accepted. The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health reserves the right to evaluate the academic validity of the degree-granting institution.

Application Procedures:

To be considered for this position, you must apply online through this posting website (careers.ohio.gov). We no longer accept paper applications. When completing your online Ohio Civil Service Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting. We will not give credit for your qualifications, experience, education, and training in the job selection process if there is no evidence provided on your application. In addition, “see resume” is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be fully supported by the work experience/education sections of your application. You may check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website (careers.ohio.gov). We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application. Be sure to check your email regularly.

Background Check Notice:

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

Rule 5122-7-21, "Background check on applicants," outlines disqualifying offenses that will preclude an applicant from being employed by the Department of Behavioral Health.

If you require reasonable accommodation for the application process, assessment &/or interview, please contact Andrew Seifert, EEO/ADA Administrator at andrew.seifert@dbh.ohio.gov or 614-466-8884.

All final applicants tentatively selected for this classification will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.